 About the area: for travellers to and from Queensland, the New England region is an inland alternative to the coast road, however it is much more than just a place to travel through on the way from Point A to point B. New England is known as the Big Sky Country. Not only for its clear night skies but for the panoramic vistas of the countryside. Some of Australia's most beautiful National Parks are in New England, offering world renowned trout fishing, hiking, camping, nature tours and kayaking. History and heritage of bygone times, and all the things that make for a great holiday - good food, quality accommodation, places of interest - are all here to enjoy and make the inland road a truly memorable journey.
The New England region was first settled in the mid 1830s when pastoral companies and individual settlers took up large tracts of land in the Peel River Valley and the Tablelands to the north. The centres of Tamworth and Armidale, established in 1834 and 1835 respectively, became increasingly important as the region developed. Armidale today has a cosmopolitan atmosphere as it is known as the regional capital of education and culture. Tamworth has become the country music capital of Australia.
Warrumbungle Ranges: Close to the town of Coonabarabran, the Warrumbungle Range is a dramatic jumble of craggy spires, domes, vast plateaus, forested ridges, towering dykes and deep gorges. 13 million years of rain, wind and ice have eaten away at the structure revealing the skeleton of the Warrumbungle Volcano. Sometimes referred to as 'the place where east meets west', it's here at the junction of the Ranges that weather from the moist east coast and dry western plains merge, creating a special microclimate that can support both the coastal and arid plants and animal life found here.
The Great Dividing Range: This range of mountains separates inlands areas of Australia's east coast from the relatively narrow coastal plains. In the New England region, it is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular National Parks, featuring pristine wilderness, rainforests and waterfalls. Armidale, the major regional centre, has four of these National Parks on its doorstep. Oxley Wild Rivers and New England National Park, the most well known of them, are World Heritage Listed, and contain extensive gorge wilderness areas with wild and scenic rivers. They are a haven for bush walkers, sightseers and campers. See also Guy Fawkes NP; Washpool NP; Cathedral Rock NP; Bald Rock NP; Boonoo Boonoo NP.
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The Waterfall Way: It is only a short drive inland from Coffs Harbour or Nambucca Heads to lush mountainous rainforests on The Waterfall Way. Here you can visit one or more national parks, nature reserve, flora reserves or state forests. In among these are some excellent walking trails for all levels of fitness. One at the inland town of Dorrigo leads to a skywalk high in the rainforest canopy, not to menton the many waterfalls that have given this tourist drive its name.
Mount Kaputar: 52 kilometres east of Narrabri, Mt Kaputar National Park is where it is said that on a clear day the 360 degree views from its 1,512 metre summit encompass up to a tenth of New South Wales. Activities include bushwalking, abseiling, birdwatching and rock climbing, making it a perfect remote place to enjoy some of Australia's most beautiful wildlife and flora. The park has 11 walking tracks, most offering spectacular views. Mount Kaputar consists of sharp peaks, the remnants of a 17 million year old volcano. Millions of years of erosion have carved this volcanic pile into the Nandewar Range.
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The Granite Belt: The Granite Belt, situated on the inner or eastern spine of the Great Dividing Range, extends from south east Queensland into northern New South Wales around Tenterfield (Bald Rock NP; Boonoo Boonoo NP). Noted for its grand waterfalls, its spectacular and unusual rock formations and the variety of wildflowers that bloom in the mountains during July and August, the Granite Belt is also home to Queensland’s premier wine region (Granite Belt Wine Country). The area is popular with prospectors, rubies, sapphires, garnets and topaz have ben found in the creeks.
Hot thermal pools, Gwydir Caravan Park
Moree: a major agricultural centre noted for its part in the Australian cotton growing industry, Moree is famous for its hot mineral baths which originated in 1895. These mercurial waters are from bores sunk into a huge Artesian Basin. 300,000 visitors of all ages visit annually. Many believe in the healing powers of the Artesian mineral waters. The town is also the fishing outdoors camping mecca of the Gwydir Delta with three major waterways within 25 minutes of Moree. You can throw in a line at one of the areas three weirs: Tareelaroi, Boolooroo and Combadello.
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| Visiting The Region: The Facts |
How to Get There: by road north from Sydney via Pacific Highway to Newcastle, then the New England Highway via the New England region of New Soth Wales.
By rail from Sydney via North Western railway line, serviced by XPT train servives.
Best Time To Go: The region can be visited all year around, though it can be quite cold at nights in winter. Autumn is perhaps the best time, with its display of gold foliage, maturing wines, ripening fresh produce and a variety of seasonal events.
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